field beans - green manures for school gardens ~ united kingdom
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Field beansGreen Manures
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Cut down or hoe off leaves before digging in whole plants four weeks before soil needed and before flowering (when plants are about 30-45cm tall)
Establishes quickly. Will fix nitrogen (plant nutrient) in roots, feeding the next crop after digging in. Don’t grow to harvest beans as this takes nitrogen away
Growing guide
Average growing periodFrom 20 weeks
Equipment neededNone
Germination time7-14 days
Average plant size30-45cm tall, 20cm wide
Family group Legumes: beans, peas
Seed saving group1 - Annual, self-pollinating
Key nutritional contentNot eaten
Green Manures
Field beans Suggested species: Vicia faba (botanical name)
Sow indoors Sow outdoors Plant out/transplant Cut down/dig in
2.5cm = 1 inch 30 cm = 1 foot
Sow seed 2cm deep 10cm apart; rows 15cm apart. Grow in same area (rotation) as other legume plants (eg beans). Prefers heavier clay soilP
LA
NT
GR
OW
DIG
Easy!
Spring Term Summer Term Autumn/Winter TermJ F M A M J J A S O N D
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